Results of esketamine administration in a Greek population; A case series.
Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki October 8, 2024 Petros Fotiadis, Eleni Tsalkitzi, Dimos Dimellis et al.
Esketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant that blocks NMDA receptors in the brain, increases glutamate release and restores synaptic function in mood-regulating regions. In a case series of five Greek adults with treatment-resistant depression, intranasal esketamine was given under medical supervision alongside an oral antidepressant for seven to twelve months. Depressive symptoms, measured with several scales at baseline, end of treatment, and one year later, showed significant improvement that was maintained at follow-up. Side effects were mild and tolerable; only the two patients with comorbid personality disorder reported significant side effects. The results suggest esketamine can stably reduce depressive symptoms even after treatment ends.